YDL NZ Match Racing - NZ's Sutherland leads after Day 1
by Georgia Witt, RNZYS on 13 Oct 2016
YDL NZ Match Racing Championships - Oct 13, 2016 - Day 1 RNZYS Media
Nineteen teams from Australia, Asia and New Zealand started the Yachting Developments New Zealand Match Race Championship today with Graeme Sutherland taking an early lead.
The change of format has seen the regatta double in size from eight teams in last year’s event to nineteen teams this year.
The 10 skippers in Pool A headed out onto the water this morning and racing began on time at 10am.
The Pool A group consisted of some big names including reigning champion Chris Steele (36 Below Racing) and CYCA’s Evan Walker (KA Racing). After four races were complete it was however, the young guns who finished top of the Pool!
The RNZYS Youth Training Programme team helmed by 21 year old Matthew Hughes finished first overall with 3 seconds and one fourth place. Second overall in Pool A was Australian David Chapman with Steele and Walker tied for third place. Alan Quere from Noumea rounded out the top five teams.
The afternoon group saw RNZYS Performance Programme Coach Graeme Sutherland dominated with three wins and one second place. Second in Pool B was Olympic Bronze Medallist Sam Meech with one first, one second and two fourths. Third overall was Jeremy Koo (KRT Sime Darby Foundation) representing Malaysia assisted with some local knowledge from RNZYS Sailing Director Laurie Jury onboard. In fourth and fifth place were YTP Graduate David Wood and another Youth Training Programme team skippered by George Anyon.
At the completion of racing for both Pools, Sutherland sits in first with Hughes in second and Chapman in third.
The teams have now all been reseeded and are scheduled to race another two fleet races per Pool tomorrow ahead of the repechage.
Race Officer, Harold Bennett, was “very pleased” with the days racing despite some light and variable conditions to start off with.
Lots more action to come. If you are in Auckland check out all the action from the RNZYS Members Bar.
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